Ted Poulos: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 51Family: Married, 2 childrenOccupation: Dean of Business Services and FinanceEducation: Bachelors-Carthage College- Double major, Accounting and Business Masters-NIU - EducationCivic involvement: Prior - Coach for Antioch Little League baseball Current- Coach for Kenosha Komets HockeyElected offices held: Village Trustee, Antioch,2009-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic Development - Bringing businesses to Antioch, therefore generating sales tax revenue. Also to search for other creative ways to increase revenue without increasing taxes.Key Issue 2 There is a need to build reserves in order to fund Deferred Maintenance. Municipalities not only have to be prepared to purchase equipment and build infrastructure, but also to be able to maintain and replace that equipment and infrastructure when needed.Key Issue 3 To continue making Antioch a place where people enjoy coming to, by trying to ensure that there is funding for community events such as Thursday concerts, Fourth of July events, holiday parades, Taste of Antioch, and other events that have become an important part of building a sense of community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I think my last four years of being a Trustee shows I am able to make logical and tough decisions that I feel are in the best interest of the village. Also, my work experience of 30 years in the College of Lake County's finance department has also prepared me. In working with the VP of Administrative Affairs I have been responsible for putting together a financial plan and budget of over $100 million. Also, my work experience is in a similar environment because it is a governmental taxing body whose staff reports to an elected board of trustees.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I think the sales tax rate is sufficient for now. I see an opportunity to bring more businesses into town, therefore creating more sales tax revenue without increasing the rate.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.A majority of the talk I have heard has been about road conditions and dangerous intersections. We are currently working on some of those and making future plans for others. I think our police have done an excellent job with fighting crime, but making sure our police force is properly staffed and equipped is important and will be addressed at budget time. I have heard concern about what will happen with Antioch Rescue. There are processes happening with the Village of Antioch, ARS, and the First Fire Protection District of Antioch Township to come up with a resolution on this issue in the near future.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe we have trimmed as much as we could in the last three years without reducing services and community events that we think benefit the village. Police and Fire can use additional funds to make sure they are properly staffed and equipped. Economic development has probably suffered the most with prior cuts, but should be looked at as a place to increase the budget, as it should result in generating revenue.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We have recently completed a strategic plan. Many quality ideas were brought out in these sessions. Funding some of them will be a challenge. Most of my ideas have been in regards to economic development and business ventures I think we should pursue.